Manchester United are reportedly considering extending the contract of one of their unwanted attackers in order to aid their efforts of selling him for a high fee.
Mason Greenwood has not appeared for the Red Devils since January 2022, the same month that he was arrested on suspicion of rape and assault after he was named in online allegations.
The one-cap England international was further arrested on suspicion of sexual assault and making threats to kill, leading to Man United immediately suspending him after he was released on bail.
Several months on from his initial arrest, Greenwood was charged with attempted rape, assault occasioning actual bodily harm and engaging in controlling and coercive behaviour and was due to go on trial in November 2023.
However, the Crown Prosecution Service then dropped the charges against the 22-year-old, citing new material coming to light and key witnesses withdrawing, and Man United were allegedly happy to have him back at the club after their internal investigation.
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Man United could lose Greenwood for free in 2025
News of the Red Devils' plans were leaked, though, and after significant uproar, the club made a U-turn on their decision and informed Greenwood that he had no future at Old Trafford, but they did not go as far as terminating his contract.
Instead, the Englishman has impressed on the pitch for Getafe, coming up with 10 goals and six assists in 36 games during a loan spell, although the La Liga side cannot afford to keep him on the books permanently.
Greenwood is not thought to be short of interest from across Europe, though, and suitors have hitherto been offered hope of a cut-price deal, as the 22-year-old will soon enter the last 12 months of his current agreement.
However, i claims that Man United are now weighing up whether to extend Greenwood's terms beyond the summer of 2025, thereby ensuring that they can maximise profit through a summer sale.
The Red Devils are apparently hoping to garner a fee of around £40m through the 22-year-old's sale either this year or next, although the loan exit avenue has not been completely blocked off either.
Which clubs are competing for Greenwood's signature?
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As well as his Man United career seemingly being dead in the water, Greenwood will almost certainly have to keep plying his trade outside of England, in spite of claims that two Premier League clubs have registered their interest in a move.
There are concerns that signing the 22-year-old could go down badly with supporters and sponsors, but a handful of European giants are ostensibly not so concerned about any negative reaction.
Talk of an ambitious move to Barcelona is now thought to have been wide of the mark, but Atletico Madrid are known to be in the running and are apparently leading the race at this stage.
The La Liga giants may face intense competition from Italian pair Napoli and Juventus, but Borussia Dortmund are not expected to firm up their interest while they fight tooth and nail to keep Jadon Sancho permanently.
Greenwood contributed 35 goals and 12 assists in 129 matches for Man United before his first arrest in 2022, and he made one England appearance in September 2020 before being sent home from the training camp for a breach of COVID-19 guidelines.
Ben Knapton
